title: Regulation of secretion of IL-4 and IgG1 isotype by melatonin-stimulated ovalbumin-specific T cells.
abstract: In the present study, we describe the potential role of melatonin, a pineal hormone, in regulating the activation of the antigen-specific T cell response. Melatonin encouraged the proliferation of Th cells and improved their ability to secrete IL-4, but down-regulated the levels of IL-2 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Melatonin, however, could not exert any influence on the T cells of unprimed mice. On studying the regulation of subclass of IgG isotype, melatonin specifically enhanced the secretion of antigen-specific IgG1 antibodies and decreased the yield of IgG2a isotype. The results suggest that melatonin possibly acts by selectively activating a Th2-like immune response.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Shaji
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Agrewala
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008550:Melatonin / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007132:Immunoglobulin Isotypes; D015847:Interleukin-4; D010047:Ovalbumin; D008550:Melatonin